ONGOING SOURCES
The Japan Times. (2010). Retrieved from, http://www.japantimes.co.jp
The Japan Times is an English language newspaper published daily in Japan. Its website contains articles regarding current events and editorials reflecting Japanese opinion. Because the information that appears online is also produced in print, The Japan Times is not only bound ethically to be objective but is required by law to be truthful, making The Japan Times a reliable source for current information that may effect backpackers planing to travel to Japan.
Metropolis. (2010). Retrieved from, http://metropolis.co.jp/
Read by over 70,000 people in print form and 30,00 online every week, Metropolis Magazine is an important source of cultural event listings for English language speakers living or traveling to Tokyo. It provides a weekly guide to events, classified advertisements in English, feature articles and general tourist information. The material online is a replication of the articles printed in the published magazine hence the information is bound by the ethical considerations of print journalism and is a brand that relies on being current and of the now, making it a credible source for travelers.
Graham, R. (1999). Genki Japan. Retrieved from,
http://www.genkienglish.net/genkijapan/menu.htm
A source of basic Japanese language learning materials, produced for beginners by educator Richard Graham, who has forged a lucrative career creating government endorsed education materials used in Japanese and Thai schools. The site is an important reference for teaching basic Japanese to readers of The Ramen Backpacker and referencing basic translations. Graham argues that learning a language should be fun, his materials reflect this and offer reliability through regular addition of new material.
The World Factbook. (2010). Japan. Retrieved from,
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ja.html
The entry in Central Intelligence Agency’s The World Factbook on Japan is a credible source of statistical information that is updated every two weeks. Its an important reference for The Ramen Blogger for trivia on Japan that is reliable, accurate and current. The CIA is an American organization formed in 1947 and is recognized world wide as an authority on world intelligence.
Japan National Tourist Association. (2010). Retrieved from, http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/
This website provides up to date, accurate information for visitors to Japan from the Japanese Governments official tourism body. Its an important source to reference and link to government endorsed safety and travel tips when offering personal advice in blog posts. A credible national organization, the JNTA has been in operation since 1964 with the purpose of furthering “international exchange through tourism” and offers an expansive library of tourist information relevant to the audience of The Ramen Blogger.
Keizo. (2010). Go Ramen. Retrieved from, http://www.goramen.com/
Keizo is an American national working in a ramen shop in Tokyo Japan. With an authority rating of 435 out of 1000 from technorati.com, Keizo’s blog is a rich source of information and antidotes from a foreigner inside the ramen restaurant industry. The posts contain news about the changing face of ramen in Japan and chronicles stores opening and closing around Tokyo. The reviews of ramen restaurants, behind the scenes insights, and guides to finding restaurants coupled with the sites ‘ramen glossary’ make goramen.com a reliable source for current information about ramen in Japan.
ARTICLES
McKean, C. (2010). 24 hours as a Tokyo Internet café refugee. Retrieved from,
http://www.cnngo.com/tokyo/sleep/virtually-sleeping-life-tokyo-internet-cafe-refugee-876485
This article outlines the problems Tokyo’s homeless population face when using internet cafes as temporary accommodation. Published in 2010 by credible, recognised resource CNNGO, the information is useful to backpackers who plan to use internet cafes in Japan as accommodation during their stay, This article details what it’s like to sleep in a cubicle and provides information on price and location of cafes. The article argues that while facilities of cafes can be quite attractive for the price it is at the cost of good nights sleep.
Cooney, K. (2007). Life In Tokyo: Vlog #23 Ramen. Retrieved from,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mU7D0wU6ag
This Youtube video, produced by Kevin Cooney, a highly regarded vlogger living in Tokyo, is an important reference of the culture surrounding ramen in Japan. He argues that while culinary Japan is best known for sushi, its actually ramen that is closest to the heart of Japanese people. He discusses how to order ramen, it’s tastes and effects on the body. Kevin Cooney is a freelance journalist and comedian who is often published in Metropolis Magazine and appears on NHK as an authority of Japanese culture. His channel is in partnership with Youtube and was awarded 2008 YouTube Japan Vlogger of the Year.
Mastsumoto, M. (2009). Tonkotsu Ramen. Retrieved from, http://www.norecipes.com/2009/12/30/tonkotsu-ramen-recipe/
norecipes.com is the central node for the web presence of "writer, photographer and private chef", Marc Matsumoto. This blog post is an important source for The Ramen Backpacker as it is written in English and offers a comprehensive recipe reference for Tonkotsu ramen. Matsumoto’s culinary credibility is exemplified by his quotation in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and his appearance as an on-air commentator for CBS television network in America. The recipe forward argues the Tonkostu broth produced is the ‘holy grail’ of ramen broth and was constructed through a lot of trial and research.
Jacob, E. (n.d). Ramen Nation. Retrieved from,
http://www.quirkyjapan.or.tv/index.htm
This article provides a solid source of history and an introduction of ramen in Japan. Ed Jacob a professional published writer living in Japan since 1993 who produces Quirky Japan, a blog held in high regard amongst Japanese culture bloggers and features on many blog rolls. This article was first published in September 2003 in Japanzine, an English language street magazine published in Japan, and argues that ramen is a national obsession. This article is a great source to to develop a sense of how important ramen is to japanese culture for the readers of The Ramen Backpacker.
Firestone, M. (2010). Japan: travel by bullet train. Retrieved from,
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/japan/travel-tips-and-articles/69473
If you’re backpacking and want to see a lot of Japan, you will need to catch a Bullet Train. This article provides a credible reference on the history of the trains, the design features and details the experience of traveling at 220 km/h from a visitors point of view. The Lonely Planet is a highly regarded authority on backpacking around the world and has been producing travel guides since the 1970’s. This article is a credible source to use when informing readers of the specifics of travel on the Shinkansen
Backpacking overseas. (2010). Retrieved from, http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/tips/backpacking.html
General travel advice from the Australian Government organisation Smart Traveller. The article argues being properly prepared for your backpacking adventure will ensure safety, so the user can focus on fun during their travels. It’s an important reference for readers of the The Ramen Backpacker readers as it offers responsible advice on safe travel practices when backpacking as opposed to regular holidays. The website is regularly updated on advice from the ministry of Foreign Affairs and Government intelligence departments.
